Ep2: Starting Work Restoring A 70 Year Old London Double Decker Bus

In this episode work starts on our latest restoration project - RT2629 is London double decker bus built in 1951. Looks like we have our work cut out restoring this 70 year old London Bus!
What does it take to keep a London double decker bus on the road?
Filmed in the UK at the Routemaster 4 Hire HQ in Wrexham, North Wales we are passionate about London buses and with 7 vintage buses in the fleet we defiantly have our work cut out!
Also don't forget to check-out all our London bus restoration videos in this playlist...
• London Bus Restoration...
About Us:
We offer our London buses for private hire.
We are proud to have the privilege of owning one of London’s most recognisable sights - the iconic London Routemaster Double Decker Bus!
Our beautifully restored red London double-decker buses are available for Weddings and Special Events across North Wales and the Northwest UK, they add some nostalgic novelty and a touch of class to any occasion.
For more information, please visit our website: www.routemaster4hire.co.uk
#londonbus #rtbus #routemaster4hire

[@hayder0687]

*quality British entertainment for quality British people.*

[@bobwilcox1147]

The poor old girl's been through the wars, but she couldn't be in better hands! Looking forward to this!

[@cliffp.8396]

Love what your doing here. May I suggest taking better care of your health, with a respirator, ear guards and safety glasses; in this I know more than a few people disabled or dead from lack of safety precautions.

[@timhines6543]

I do generally wear ear protection and safety glasses and a mask when spraying. However a few parts of the footage I was filming on my own so id stop and take them off to operate the camera. Do a short clip of the work for film, stop the camera and put my gear back on to continue properly. Glad you are enjoying the videos! Thanks.

[@cliffp.8396]

@@timhines6543 Good to hear this, also nice work in this video.

[@jamesfrench7299]

You can make yourself sick doing this caper. Safety first.

[@markstott6091]

Also watch out for hand-arm vibration with that needle gun.

[@gustavfenk4021]

Nonsense. The bloke used to spray my cars never wore a respirator mask and, despite smoking over 40 cigarettes per day as well, never had a day off work due to sickness in his life. Mind you, he died at the age of 43, so maybe there’s something in it.

[@peterfox3277]

Brings a smile to my face. Welcome back.

[@normmcrae1140]

I'm surprised how GOOD the condition is! I would have expected it to be a rust-bucket! Glad to see it's getting so much care. Looking forward to more videos!

[@globaleye8]

Good to see someone is saving theses old girls ! 😉 - I had a hand in restoring, although not to this degree, three 1953 RLH buses that my daughter owned about 14 years ago in the USA, a rather expensive and demanding experience but fond memories none the less.

[@graemeross9329]

Wow!.. hope it all goes well!..... But safety first. mask and hearing protection or you may need medical restoration...Have fun!!

[@rolanddunk5054]

Hello to you all, i recall RT’’s when I was a lad in the 50’s and 60’s,I believe we also had some Guy buses in Grimsby..there were as well some buses with I suspect air suspension butI cannot Remember the make.I don’t think we ever had route masters.cheers,Roly🇬🇧.P.S.i prefer the look of the RT,call me old fashioned.

[@johnrees]

Yet another superb video chaps ............. now onto the next.

[@johnjoeflanagan]

Highly informative with a bit of humour thrown in. These people love their work. Well done! 🚍

[@rikmorley6469]

Not enough PPE lads, keep up the good work.

[@gettogo0159]

@Rik morley > Yes good point not that I'm firm believer the need for safety nazi's of sorts but ones personal care is important, any one is paint spraying (face mask)/using air tools (hearing protection)/wearing eye protection/anti vibration gloves some basic equipment is needed to cover yourself just encase sh*t happens. Mainly for the basic three/four items - hand wise keeping your hands in good condition - anti vibration gloves > white hand syndrome is a big deal in elderly life when it makes you suffer for your forgetfulness. I wouldn't want any one to suffer it - it's a painful condition. I know many that have got it..... do great work with their mind but hands can't be use often as they are out use with nerve & blood supply damage - knowing what caused it.

[@richardmessenger9474]

Love these old RT buses...the bus if my childhood early 60s..always tried to get the seat behind the driver to see how he was driving it...😋😋

[@ewd344]

The pre-selector gearbox!

[@richardmessenger9474]

@@ewd344 epicyclic gearbox...pre select the gear and hit the gear change pedal when you want to change...complex gearboxes to get your head around...👍👍

[@alangiles4616]

I must admit, I have always had more affection for the RT class (especially the RTLs and RTWs and the early RTs with the roof route box (not the pre war ones with one at the front and one at the back) than the RM class. Perhaps because I lived near Barking Garage and they kept one of the earliest RTs in service in the 1970s - HLX 101. That didn't have a roof route box, but I sort of "adopted" it

[@mikecollings6889]

Keep them coming lads! We need a lot of video footage to keep us occupied over Christmas please! Another great challenge, looking forward to the day she goes back in service.

[@kenh3344]

That is abus yes that's how I remembered them.. what a a beautiful chassis yes this is abus that must be restored. What a specimen tobe refurbished and bought back to life nice one. Good luck..

[@peepshow090]

I was born in London in 1960, spent years riding on busses like these. great to see them being looked after

[@kathrynwhitby9799]

please, please please. Wear Ear Protection when needling - - -

[@dazzlerbob1870]

I'll second that, and anti-vibration gloves that are suitable for needle gunning. Also limit your time using it. Don't think we are lecturing you. We want to see more content. ;-)

[@henrybest4057]

And a mask when spray painting.

[@ianmaddams9577]

Great video guys . Look forward to rest of the restoration 👍🏻

[@oc2phish07]

Fascinating stuff.

[@Logicalx]

I think the older man in me would love to work on these, restoring them as a job. Amazing work guys.

[@trafalgar624]

This reminds me of when I had a proper job doing this kind of work, early 70's.

[@wayneswitzer3890]

I really enjoyed the video, thank you.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Hammondfreak]

Great video guys and I look forward to the progress over the next five years. It is of massive importance to restore these iconic vehicles and I commend you for your patience and skill. It is indeed a labour of love !

[@jamesbalchin4640]

Absolutely brilliant love the humor as well. David and the guys are doing a absolute stunning job

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks James

[@jamesbalchin4640]

@@Routemaster4Hire that's ok no problem at all

[@crewealex1125]

Love the care taken over the fuel tank and the area behind. No corners cut because it'll be out of sight, just a great job done to keep another one around for years 👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks 👍

[@anthonyobersteller1556]

Can not wait for the next video on the RT Bus.

[@philipheath8265]

Very interesting and informative.

[@jamesfrench7299]

Little Aldenham. I'm really appreciating the RT lately after I used to give the lion's share of my attention to the RM range. Great you guys got one. Get an RTL next unless you're AEC purists.

[@marksinthehouse1968]

I bet you wish you could body lift like in the video overhaul filmed at aldenham ,they really done a class job like what your doing ,merry Christmas to all 🎅🏼🤶🏻🧑‍🎄

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yes being able to lift the body would be great. Happy Christmas to you too.

[@johnjephcote7636]

Was the Aldenham travelling crane left over from the production of Halifaxes?

[@davidcoleman6032]

Well done, great to see an rt saved for prosperity!

[@Paul-if1jq]

You should get a spray mask, for painting....especially with Etch primer

[@martynjones973]

Great job 👍👍👍👍

[@chrissharp5073]

Seeing this restoration brings back plenty of memories whilst living in South London as this was the best way to travel around as a teenager. Glad to see your heroic efforts in keeping this one running. Well done you.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you Chris, glad you are enjoying the channel and that we have brought back some memories for you.

[@trevordeane3940]

Well done, great old buses the RT.

[@rexstonbull250]

spot on guys well done .

[@rexstonbull250]

merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all.

[@markstott6091]

Love your videos, you perform a fantastic service looking after and using these wonderful vehicles. Good to see lots of comments from viewers about use of PPE, you 1) need to look after your own health as well as the buses and 2) don't want a visit from our good friends at the HSE. Take care of yourselves, guys, please keep up your fantastic work.

[@teepi280]

7.05 Ear defenders!! Later life hearing loss......I can vouch for that.

[@gettogo0159]

@Teepi >>> Hows the wife screaming & shouting dear boy? She making the difference...... I had to ask. On a serious note I know a few are gone part deaf from the crash/auto trade during their years - no PPE use. great for the wife/partner but hell for basic things in life while in public, as retired gent that suffers has quoted me "just learn to lip read it best thing since sliced bread"

[@Big.Al.3]

Yet again another top film. Enjoyed watching and learning. Nice to see the bus getting some TLC. Surprisingly in very good condition. Keep up the good work gents.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Many thanks!

[@Big.Al.3]

@@Routemaster4Hire looking forward to your next episode. Hope you all have a happy and safe Christmas.

[@johnwaby4321]

Got to keep them going 👍👍 nice work

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks, will do!

[@TheDaf95xf]

Hi 👋🏻 I’m mainly a train enthusiast but I do like old busses 😀 Great work guys 👍🏻

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you very much!

[@allanmason7544]

great vids look foreward to more

[@kgriggs75]

And it begins. Told ya I would be back.

[@darrencowley8265]

Hi a great video thank you take care

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks, you too!

[@northstar1950]

I have really enjoyed watching your various uploads as I have been involved with preserved buses and trolleybuses keep up the good work.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you will do. 👍

[@jfro5867]

Enjoyable watch. Ear defenders! You’ll knacker your hearing with that needle gun going like that.

[@stephenport4768]

Do the resto Aldenham style body off and rolling chassis if that's still possible

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Unfortunately, not in our workshop! Would be nice to to tho!!

[@dodgydruid]

Funny to see the 190 banner in a RM as I remember when that was RT. I do remember Catford having an ex 47 RT in the garage there long long after the RT's had disappeared, I also seem to remember a RT at Bromley Common too.

[@physics77guy]

it would be great if these classics are converted to electric during restoration and put in duty on certain historic routes... great for tourism

[@alank1995]

I stumbled across your channel by accident and am glad I did. I know absolutely nothing about restoration but wondered if you can easily tell which parts are original (60 plus years old) and what would have been replaced at some point during its life. Good luck!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Good question Alan. Probably not much on the bus is left from when the bus was built, but in London Bus restoration circles the bus is still considered to have original parts if they were fitted/replaced by London Transport during the vehicles working life. So if you go by that, then most of the bus will be original. Hope that makes sense?

[@andyglewv8]

Looks like your doing a nice job and nice instructional vids, but I would suggest promoting use of PPE also.

[@johnboytd]

Great job so far!! I wonder why RT/RTL/RTW fuel tanks were on the nearside? Added to the tilt test problems, I think!

[@highpath4776]

Something about how the pumps were located in the garages !

[@Hammondfreak]

It was partly a matter of balancing the weight since the compressor, oiling turret and batteries were on the offside. Also the components had to be placed in the most convenient positions with the fuel feeds entering the left side of the engine. The cab on the right side made it more convenient for all the air components to be placed there. In my opinion the RT is still the best London bus design from the last 80 years.

[@itzyaboialli007]

I subscribed to you, keep up with the good work

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks for the sub

[@justjoe7313]

Please please please wear hearing protection while using needle scaler.

[@Pseudonym-aka-alias]

Get that bus out Butler👨‍✈️

[@Nature_world203]

This types bus still run in Sri Lanka . Most of bus are abandoned because in Sri Lanka they have no spare parts to repair this types of bus.

[@TheMadman1981]

as someone who's death as a post... give that man some ear defenders :D Love the videos guys

[@nicholaskelf5437]

Watching the episode when you put in the window rubber with WD40 and said it is had work. WD40 makes rubber softer and makes it swell up. You should use pure silicone this should make it easier to fit. Love the video keep them comming

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks for the info!

[@johnmichaeldorienjohn467]

I'm sure you Guys will do a fantastic restoration on the RT,keep up with the excellent work! 👏 & stay well.

[@davidbassett4577]

Another great video .. The RT looks in remarkably good condition seeing how old she is … had these running round the hills of High Wycombe in the early 1960’s on town routes 326 & 363 … also on Route 362 to Amersham & Chesham & on Route 305 to Uxbridge .. also Windsor & Staines on Route 441.

[@Greggspies]

Passed my PSV in one

[@regtimmins1944]

Just a quick ? gentleman with regards to the yesteryears of when this bus when it started its life of service would they have used all the hoists lifts and stands that are used for maintenance and as you are doing restoration or would they have been stripped for parts or run until they could not be run thank you eh from across the pound and a new viewer to your chanle

[@alangriffiths1004]

What paint are you using on the fuel tank?

[@timhines6543]

Its had 4 coats of high build zinc primer and 4 coats of transpeed fuel resistant chassis silver. All Williamsons paints products.

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

What are those thing running of belts from the prop shaft? Air compressor, hydraulic pump, etc?

[@timhines6543]

One set runs the compressor and the other set runs the large dynamo.

[@richardwigley]

Are all the wheel bolts left hand thread or are they handed?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Hi Rich, just the nearside wheel bolts are a left hand thread.

[@martynbush3462]

Great watching this restoration but seriously chaps you need to get some proper PPE or you'll pay the price. Especially for respiration, I'd have a wager there's asbestos asbestos somewhere in these old buses.

[@chriswood01]

Can anyone tell me what the song theme tune is at start n finish is??

[@mystame]

I am very curious about the bus that is outside that seems to be partly sanded down, but doesn't seem to change over all the restoration videos... love seeing these beasts of the road well looked after...

[@Threelinkdave]

Have you considered using a high-lift jack foe breaking the bead on a tyre. place wheel under an accessible part of tge chassis of another vehicle. put foot of jackon tyre next to rim and jack up the vehiclee and bead may break away with luck. Its how I changed tyres on a land rover

[@warweezil2802]

I could be wrong but that looks like a man arracking a split rim wheel (a task often accompanied by a lot of 🤬) so that being the case, first job is to loosen the locking ring and collar from the outside edge, then pry out the lock ring, then lift off the collar and finally lift tyre and tube off of wheel hub. Did too many of those in my teens working for a local tyre depot. With the age of the RT design I would have thought it very unlikely to have the sort of tubeless rims you are thinking of (unless retrofitted with tubeless rims as has happened with some Of the RMs,). From memory, I know the older Guys, Bristol’s and Leylands my local firm (Silcox) ran in the 60s and early 70s all ran split rims those examples dating mostly from the 50s (40s in the case of the Guys than ran in service right through to around 1969) These guys have RMs running on both types of wheel design, I’m certain it’s covered in an earlier video.

[@Threelinkdave]

@@warweezil2802 I see what youmean re split rims. Land rovers , mine was a 76 build,had tubed tyres and would not break the seal betweeen tyre and wheel without some PERSUASION.

[@warweezil2802]

@@Threelinkdave The Landy rim was probably designed to take tubeless tyres when new and that would mean the rim has a slight “shoulder” at its outer edges, breaking this bead is difficult by design as it is meant to be a close enough tolerance to grip the bead of the tyre and form an airtight seal. You can often break them with a Dunlop claw lever and hammer & your own size 10s, I’ve even seen hardwood wedges used. In my teens we were not allowed to use a machine on alloy wheels - imagine that now 🤣😂😁😆

[@bccev770]

No clickity clack for you Butler!!

[@LTVoyager]

I am surprised you don’t use a cartridge respirator while painting.

[@rogermoore52]

Ear defenders young man.

[@martinkendall3939]

You must wear a mask when spraying you don’t want to be breathing all that lot in .

[@JossRickard]

Torch isn't big enough

[@colinblick4903]

Love the refurb……. But please wear a proper mask when spraying🙏🏼….. 😵‍💫 From an Asthmatic🤨

[@veteran011]

You gotta use some ear protection with that needle scaler! No sense in killing your ears prematurely!

[@derekblake9385]

All I can see is Blakey and dirty old men like Stan, Jack 😂

[@Scuba72Chris]

Jesus, please wear ear protection when using that needle gun.

[@cav551]

Dear oh dear, do you want to go deaf? for goodness sake wear ear protection. That ringing noise you hear after using a needle gun is a warning that you are damaging your hearing. Never heard of vibration white finger either? That is the tingling and numbness in your hands? Wear thick gloves and take break from the gun. You will regret both by the time you are in your mid fifties if you don't take notice. .

[@chrisfisher5960]

Please wear gloves when handling greasy parts. You handle more than greasy parts with your hands. Just saying.